Math teachers instruct students in a variety of mathematical disciplines, including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus. Math teachers are responsible for creating lesson plans, assigning and grading homework, administering tests and assessing their students' progress. In elementary school, teachers typically teach math in addition to numerous other subjects. Middle school, high school and post-secondary math teachers may specialize in a variety of math-specific courses. Salaries for math teachers vary based on the grade level they teach as well as their geographic location.

K-12 Wages

Elementary school teachers provide young learners with foundational skills in such subjects as math and reading to prepare them for higher education. Middle school math teachers build on this basic knowledge, while high school math teachers provide instruction in specific disciplines such as algebra, geometry, calculus and trigonometry. Annual wages for U.S.-based kindergarten through 12th grade math teachers range from less than $31,720 to more than $84,000 as of May 2011, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics website. The median annual salary for high school math teachers is $54,270, which means that half of the teachers make more than that and half make less.

Post Secondary

Math professors at the college level must typically hold an advanced degree, typically a doctorate. They are well compensated for their educational background. The median annual salary for post secondary math professors is $66,680, according to May 2011 figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top 10 percent earn more than $127,810 per year.

Regional Wages

Wages for math teachers vary significantly based on the part of the country where the teacher works. The average annual salary for high school math teachers in Texas is $53,870, while those who teach in New York earn $71,820 per year. College-level math professors in New York earn average annual wages of $91,650, while their counterparts in Oklahoma receive $48,540, according to BLS figures from May 2011.

Career Outlook

The Department of Labor anticipates new job opportunities for college professors to grow at about the same rate as the economy as a whole. While competition for tenure-track positions is intense, there should be openings for math professors who are willing to teach in adjunct or part-time positions. The Department of Labor expects new job opportunities for high school teachers to grow at a slower rate than the general economy, but notes that teachers with certification in certain hard-to-fill subjects, including math, should have better employment opportunities.

About the Author

Mike Parker is a full-time writer, publisher and independent businessman. His background includes a career as an investments broker with such NYSE member firms as Edward Jones & Company, AG Edwards & Sons and Dean Witter. He helped launch DiscoverCard as one of the company's first merchant sales reps.